Calcium Reactor and raining pH

[Adam1103]

So I’ve had my calcium reactor up and running for about 2 months now. Prior my pH was always around 8.4-8.2. Now it’s usually 7.5-7.8.

Just wondering how those running calcium reactor combat the low pH or just forget about it?

 

[eraser2001]

That's normall with Calcium reactor, but something that I learned from other post was to put the outcoming water from the reactor in a container, in the same container I put air stone connect to a pump and it help to remove co2 from the water

 

[jda]

You are probably using too much CO2 and it is getting into your tank.

How are you letting the CO2 into the reactor? Probe/controller, just just manual with a needle valve.

What is the PH of your effluent?

 

[Adam1103]

I’m using a korallin 1502 and a DIY second chamber. Effluent from 2nd chamber is 6.8.
Using my Apex to control the solenoid valve. PH probe is installed in the main reactor with a pH of 6.6 being the target.

 

[jda]

Are you letting effluent escape from the valve on the top, or do you have it closed off?

Korallin will trap excess CO2 in the top if you want it to.

 

[Adam1103]

I have it closed off. When I see excess gas in the main chamber I will open the valve and release the excess. This seems to be about 1 time per week.

 

[aileen]

Use kalkwasser in your top off water. It’s will bring your ph back up. CA reactor always lowers your ph, Kalk will raise it up for u.

 

[jda]

I would check your PH probes in both places before you do much. These are hobby grade tools and are prone to drifting and failure.

I have 3x Korallins and I have 6.6X coming out of the reactor and my tank PH stays 8.1 to 8.4. I trap the CO2 in the top, as well. If I have it tuned to not trap any more, 6.6x is where it settles out. I use a PH pen to check it - no probe.

CO2 in the ambient air in my house has more effect on the PH than the reactor effluent does.

 

[Adam1103]

Thanks for the advice. I usually recalibrate the pH probe quarterly. But will take another look at it. I also use a pH pen to check the effluent.

I will try a few little things prior to anything else. Possibly use a co2 scrubber or run a fresh air line to the skimmer. The tank is in our basement in our new house, so fresh air could be the trick.

 

[jda]

On nice days, I would open the windows in the whole house and try and turn the air over 100%, or more. We have new houses and they are quite tight. Attic fan for a few hours with basement windows open can really do wonders for tank PH.

Good luck.